The DA in Limpopo has written to MEC Ernest Rachoene expressing grave concern with the number of Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) projects that have been abandoned after RAL was stripped of almost all its functions except for the upgrading of 31 km of gravel to tar.
The DA will ask questions in the Legislature on the abandoned projects and plans to address them.
The RAL budget has also been shrunk to a point where it will be unable to improve Limpopo’s infrastructure. The budget decreased from R2.886 billion in 2024/25 to R958,617 million in 2025/26 and further reduced to R861,298 million in 2026/27. The result of this cut is the abandonment of some of the key RAL projects in Limpopo.
One of the abandoned road projects is the upgrading from gravel to tar of road P20/2, D1234 and D2702 from Koedoeskop to Northam to Dwaalboom in Waterberg district. This project started in 2016 and is a 52 km upgrade. This project was always plagued by problems with the contractor going through business rescue at some stage. The road is now in a dangerous state of disrepair for road users. View photos here, here and here.
Another abandoned project is the Vivo to Louis Trichardt Road (R522) in the Makhado municipality. During an oversight visit early in February 2025, the Portfolio Committee was promised that the new contractor will be on site on 1 April 2025. The current phase entails the maintenance of 10,5 km of road. The original completion date was 15 March 2024 but during another oversight visit on 22 July 2025, no contractor was appointed. This road was stripped of tar on three parts and now poses a life-threatening risk for motorists. View photos here, here and here
The MEC is creating massive chaos and the residents of Limpopo are suffering as a result. For months now, the department and RAL have refused to answer questions about these abandoned roads, notwithstanding many promises by the MEC that the department will provide information.